46-U.S.C.-8702
§8702 – Certain Crew Requirements
Pathway
Title 46 > Subtitle II > Part F > Chapter 87 > Section 8702
Details
- Reference: Section 8702
- Legend: §8702 – Certain Crew Requirements
- USCode Year: 2013
Provision Content
(a) This section applies to a vessel of at least 100 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title except—
(1) a vessel operating only on rivers and lakes (except the Great Lakes);
(2) a barge (except a seagoing barge or a barge to which chapter 37 of this title applies);
(3) a fishing, fish tender, or whaling vessel (except a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade) or a yacht;
(4) a sailing school vessel with respect to sailing school instructors and sailing school students;
(5) an oceanographic research vessel with respect to scientific personnel;
(6) a fish processing vessel entered into service before January 1, 1988, and not more than 1,600 gross tons as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title or entered into service after December 31, 1987, and having not more than 16 individuals on board primarily employed in the preparation of fish or fish products; and
(7) a fish processing vessel (except a vessel to which clause (6) of this subsection applies) with respect to individuals on board primarily employed in the preparation of fish or fish products or in a support position not related to navigation.
(b) A vessel may operate only if at least—
(1) 75 percent of the crew in each department on board is able to understand any order spoken by the officers, and
(2) 65 percent of the deck crew (excluding licensed individuals) have merchant mariners’ documents endorsed for a rating of at least able seaman, except that this percentage may be reduced to 50 percent—
(i) on a vessel permitted under section 8104 of this title to maintain a 2-watch system; or
(ii) on a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade.
(c) An able seaman is not required on a towing vessel operating on bays and sounds connected directly with the seas.
(d) An individual having a rating of less than able seaman may not be permitted at the wheel in ports, harbors, and other waters subject to congested vessel traffic, or under conditions of reduced visibility, adverse weather, or other hazardous circumstances.
(e) The owner, charterer, managing operator, agent, master, or individual in charge of a vessel operated in violation of this section or a regulation prescribed under this section is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of $10,000.
(Pub. L. 98–89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 554; Pub. L. 98–364, title IV, §402(12)(B), July 17, 1984, 98 Stat. 449; Pub. L. 100–239, §5(e), Jan. 11, 1988, 101 Stat. 1781; Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, §4302(i), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 539; Pub. L. 101–595, title VI, §602(e)(2), Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2992; Pub. L. 104–324, title VII, §732, Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3941.)
| Revised section | Source section (U.S. Code) |
|---|---|
| 8702 | 46:643 46:672 |
Section 8702 specifies certain crew requirements.
Subsection (a) applies this section to the same vessels to which section 8701 applies.
Subsection (b) requires that 75 percent of the crew in each department on board a vessel understand any order spoken by the officers and that 65 percent of the deck crew be at least able seamen, except for the licensed officers. For 2-watch system vessels under section 8104, the 65-percent deck crew requirement may be reduced to 50 percent.
Subsection (c) exempts certain inland towing vessels from the able seaman requirement.
Subsection (d) prohibits anyone having a rating of less than able seamen from serving as a helmsman in congested vessel traffic or under hazardous conditions.
Subsection (e) prescribes the penalty for violation of this section.
Amendments
1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–324, §732(1), inserted as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title after 100 gross tons in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 104–324, §732(2), inserted as measured under section 14502 of this title, or an alternate tonnage measured under section 14302 of this title as prescribed by the Secretary under section 14104 of this title after 1,600 gross tons.
1990—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 101–595, §602(e)(2)(A), substituted vessel (except a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade) for vessel.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 101–595, §602(e)(2)(B), inserted provisions authorizing reduction to 50 percent of the deck crew in the case of a fish tender vessel engaged in the Aleutian trade.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–380 substituted $10,000 for $500.
1988—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–239 substituted operate for depart from a port of the United States.
1984—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 98–364, §402(12)(B)(i), substituted fishing, fish tender, or whaling for fishing or whaling.
Subsec. (a)(6), (7). Pub. L. 98–364, §402(12)(B)(ii)– (iv), added pars. (6) and (7).
Effective Date of 1990 Amendments
Amendment by section 602(e)(2)(A) of Pub. L. 101–595 effective Nov. 16, 1990, and requirements imposed by subsec. (b)(2), as amended by section 602(e)(2)(B) of Pub. L. 101–595, effective 1 year after Nov. 16, 1990, see section 602(f) of Pub. L. 101–595, set out as a note under section 4502 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L. 101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section 2701 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters.
Exemption of Certain Fish Processing Vessels
Certain fish processing vessels exempt from crew requirements of subsec. (b) of this section, see section 403(b) of Pub. L. 98–364, as amended, set out as a note under section 3302 of this title.
U.S. Encyclopedia of Law Coverage
Chapter 85 – Pilots in the Legal Encyclopedia: Shipping
In this entry about Chapter 85 – Pilots, find legal reference material, bibliographies and premiere content related to shipping in the American Encyclopedia of Law, presenting a comprehensive view of the United States shipping-specific issues, written by authorities in the field.
46-U.S.C.-7104 in the Legal Encyclopedia: Licensing
In this entry about 46-U.S.C.-7104, find legal reference material, bibliographies and premiere content related to licensing in the American Encyclopedia of Law, presenting a comprehensive view of the United States licensing-specific issues, written by authorities in the field.
Leave a Reply